A technique based on the use of genetically modified bacteriophage viruses to fight strains of bacteria that developed resistance to antibiotics
An article published in the journal “Microbiology Spectrum” reports the results of experiments based on the use of genetically modified bacteriophage viruses to combat strains of Escherichia coli bacteria that developed resistance to various antibiotics. These findings offer a way to neutralize these bacteria and new insights into the interactions between bacteriophages and bacteria that may be useful in other medical research.
A team of researchers led by biologist Jessie Vandierendonck of the Free University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel – VUB) characterized eight different so-called temperate bacteriophages and tested genetic modifications that enabled these viruses to insert Shiga toxin into enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli bacteria to neutralize them. This proof-of-concept could represent the beginning of a strategy to combat harmful bacteria.




